"Pereira maybe a better n°10 than Juan Mata"ponders Van Gaal

Manchester United boss Luis van Gaal has suggested that young Brazilian playmaker Andreas Pereira maybe a better option to play behind the strikers than Spanish international Juan Mata. Mata started his career in England very brightly with Chelsea, but has failed to hit those heights in his two year spell at Manchester United.

Pereira replaced Mata late on in United’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea on Sunday and van Gaal suggests that the Spaniard could be adopted elsewhere, with Pereira a more natural choice for the role behind the forward, “Maybe I have another No.10 who is better than Mata. Maybe Andreas Pereira is better.

“I don’t discuss that with you, I’ll discuss it with Juan Mata. Juan Mata knows, and maybe he is doing better now.” Pereira nearly left United on loan in the January transfer window, but it is reported that van Gaal blocked any temporary move, preferring to keep the Brazilian with the club involved in Europa League and FA Cup knockout matches over the coming weeks. Pereira hopes to be involved in the Brazil squad for the Olympic games in Rio this summer.